Swimming pool



June 25, 1963 A. MlCClO ETAL 3,094,709

' SWIMMING POOL Filed Jan. 29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AQTHUR MlCC\OROBERT E. WEST INVENTORS BY WWI/tun? A TTOENEY SWIMMING POOL Filed Jan.29, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ARTHUR MCClO ROBEFZT E. WEST INVENTORSATTORNEY United States Patent 3,094,709 SWIMMING POOL Arthur Miccio,Trenton, NJ., and Robert E. West, Yardley, Pa., assignors to CascadeIndustries, Incorporated, Edison, N.J., a corporation of New JerseyFiled Jan. 29, 1962, Ser. No. 169,227 14 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) Thisinvention relates to swimming pools and is directed particularly toswimming pools having prefabricated side walls together with a linerformed of flexible sheet material such as a sheeted plastic compositionand to novel means for securing coping elements to a pool having sidewalls formed of metal, wood or other material.

It has been suggested heretofore that swimming pools be formed withprefabricated sections adapted to be secured together to form or supportthe side walls of the pool. However, when the wall sections areconstructed of wood or concrete, they are generally so bulky and heavythat they are difficult to store and ship. As a result, it is frequentlymore economical to fabricate the sections at the site where they are tobe used than to produce them at a central location for shipment to theplace of assembly.

'Wall sections for swimming pools which are formed of metal can be massproduced by stamping or otherwise and can be shipped economically.However, as heretofore constructed, they have not embodied satisfactorymeans for securing a flexible liner for the pool in place. Diflicultiesare also encountered in securing a masonry or tile coping to the edgesof a pool when metal, wood or other prefabricated wall sections areemployed in its construction.

In accordance with the present invention, these objections andlimitations of prior swimming pool constructions are overcome and meansare provided which include novel elements for securing both a liningsheet and a coping in place about the edges of the pool and whichfurther serve to strengthen the prefabricated wall sections employed inconstructing the pool.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the present invention is toprovide novel prefabricated elements adapted for use in constructing aswimming pool.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved assemblyfor securing coping members and a flexible sheeted lining in placeadjacent the edges of a swimming pool.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new type of wallforming section for use in constructing a swimming pool.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willappear from the following description thereof wherein reference is madeto the figures of the accom- In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrating a plurality of wall sectionsadapted for use in constructing swimming pools embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustrating a typical form of coping andretaining means embodying the present invention with parts shown insection;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the assembly shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through the cushioning stripshown in the assemblies of FIGS. 2 and 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the application of the retainingmeans to an alternative form of wall con struction.

In that form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 t0 4 of thedrawings, the pool is provided with a side wall 2 having a liner 4 whichis formed of flexible sheet material such as a sheeted plasticcomposition composed of a vinyl resin, rubber or other resinous,polymeric or fabric material. The upper edges of the liner 4 are securedin place by a coping 6 which preferably extends about the edges of thepool adjacent the upper edges of the side walls 2.

While the side walls may be formed or constructed in various ways, theconstruction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is preferred. As there illustrated,the side wall embodies a plurality of sections 8 which may be formed ofsheet metal and fabricated by stamping or otherwise. Each sectionembodies a wall portion 10, a base portion 12 and two opposite sideflanges 14 and 16. The base portion 12 is designed to rest against theearth or a foundation or sill extending about the bottom of the sideWall of the pool and may be secured in place by anchoring pins 18 driveninto the earth or otherwise anchored so as to locate and hold the wallsection 8 in fixed position. The base portion 12 preferably extendsoutwardly or rearwardly from the wall portion 10 a distance sufficientto permit earth to be filled in or tamped in place between the wallportion 10 and the excavation in which the pool is located so that suchearth will aid in holding the wall portion 10 of the wall section in anerect or vertical position.

The side flanges 14 and 16 of the wall sections also extend rearwardlyfrom the wall portion 10 at opposite sides thereof and are provided withregistering bolt holes 20 or other connecting means so that the sectionsmay be securely connected together with the side flange 14 on one wallsection abutting the side flange 16 on an adjacent section. Further, asshown, the bolt holes 20 may be in the general form of key hole slot-swith narrow lower portions. Then when assembling the sections, it willbe possible to reach about the side flange of one section into the spacebetween the rear of the section and the excavation to insert the bolts22 and tighten the nuts thereon without excavat ing back from the sidewalls of the pool to provide a large working space.

Since the sides of many pools are curved, the side flanges 14 and 16 maybe inclined outward somewhat with respect to the plane of the wallportion 10 of the section 8. When so formed, the sections 8 may benested one within another to provide a compact assembly prior toerection of the pool. In this way, substantial savings in space forstorage and reduced bulk in shipment are possible.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the side flanges 14 and 16 of the sections8 are provided with upper edges 24 extending rearwardly at right anglesadjacent but below the upper horizontal edge 26 of the wall portion 10'.These edges are preferably secured together by a retaining clip 28having a flat supporting surface 30 which extends across the edges 24 ofthe side flanges 14 and 16 below the horizontal edges 26 of the wallportions of adjacent sections. Clamping arms 32 extend downward from thesupporting surface 30 of the clip on the inner sides of the side flanges14 and 16 and may be bolted to the side flanges to secure the sectionstogether. The supporting surface 30 of the clip also may be formed withdownwardly turned tabs 34 which embrace the edges 24 of the sideportions 14 and 16. The supporting surface 30 of the clip 28 may restsolidly on the edges 24 of the side flanges or may be spaced a shortdistance above the edges 24 of the side flanges 24 and 26. In any event,the su-r-' face 39 of the clip 28 presents a rigid support for theretainer strips 36.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the retainers 36 are provided with a base38 adapted to rest upon and be secured to the supporting surfaces 30 ofthe clips 28. Rivets or bolts 40 may be passed through registeringopenings in the base 38 and the supporting. surface 30 for securing theretainer in place whereby the whole assembly is strengthened and heldrigidlyv in place. The retainer 36 may extend across the upper edges ofthe flanges 14 and 16- of two or more sections 8 and may be of anylength desired conforming to the shape of the pool. However, as shown,the retainers 36 are conveniently made in lengths substantially equal tothe width of each section and have their ends in abutting relationon-the supporting surfaces 30- of the clips 28 which secure the sectionstogether.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the retainer 36 is channel-shapedand provided with an inner edge which extends upwardly from the base 38to form a flange 42 having its outer edge folded downwardly at 44 inposition to engage the inner face of the wall portion of the section 8.The retainer thus fits over and tightly embraces the upperhorizontaledge 26 of the wall portion 10. The edge 26 is thus reinforcedand held against buckling or distortion so that the inner surface of thewall portion 10 will be provided with marginal strengthening meansextending about its edges and consisting of the base portion 12, theside flanges 14 and 16 and the retainer 36.

The sheeted flexible liner 4 of the pool extends upward over the innersurfaces of the wall portions 10 of the sections 8 and is foldedoutwardly and downwardly about the flange 42 of the retaining strip 36so that the marginal portion 46 of the liner will extend outwardly abovethe "base portion 38 of the retaining strip. A cushioning and clampingstrip 48 is placed over the folded portion of the liner 4 and the innerflange 42 of the retaining strip and has an inner leg 50 which whenfirst applied to the flange 42 may extend downward below the foldedportion 44 of the flange. The upper return bend portion 51 of thecushioning strip is preferably thickened as at 52 whereas the outer leg53 of the cushioning strip is provided with an outwardly extending lip66.

The outer edge of the retainer 36 is provided with an upwardly extendingflange 54 having an inwardly turned lip 56. Coping elements 6 arecarried by the retainers 36 and may be made of masonry, cement, tile,hardened plastic or any other suitable or preferred material. As shown,the coping elements are formed with a groove or slot 58 in the outerface 60 thereof which is adapted to receive and engage the inwardlyturned lip 56 on the flange 54 at the outer edge of the retainer 36. Thelower surface 62 of the coping element '6 is provided with a clampinggroove or recess 64 which is positioned in alignment with the innerflange 42 of the retainer 36 to receive and embrace the cushioning strip48 and the portion of the liner 4 which is'folded over the inner flange42 of the retainer. The dimensions of the recess 64. and its distancefrom the slot 58 in the outer face 60 of the coping element are suchthat when the coping element is in place as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, themarginal portion of the liner 4 and the thickened return bend portion 52of cushioning strip 48 will be compressed and clamped between the flange42 of the retainer 36 and the coping element 6.

In applying the coping element to the retainer 36 the inner edge 68 ofthe coping element is tilted or raised as shown in dotted lines in FIG.3 and the groove 58 in the outer face 60 of the coping element isengaged with the lip 56 of the flange 54 at the outer edge of theretainer. The inner edge 68 is then moved downwardly as the copingelement pivots about the lip 56. The clamping recess 64 which registerswith the flange 42 of the retainer then will be pressed downward aboutthe cushioning strip so that the lower surface 62 of the coping on theouter side of the recess 64 will engage the lip 66 of the cushioningstrip 48. Upon forcing the coping further downward the lower face of thecoping pulls the inner leg 53 of the cushioning strip downward causingthe strip to wipe across the flange 42 and to draw the liner 4 tightlyinto place. At the same time, the thickened portion 52 of the cushioningstrip 48 is brought into position on the inner side of the flange 42whereas the pivotal movement of the coping serves to cause the side wall70 of the recess 64 to move toward the adjacent surface of flange 42. Inthis way, the thickened portion 52 of the cushioning strip 48 above thelip 66 is compressed and wedged between the coping element and flange42. Moreover, in the event the lip 66 of the strip 48 should flexdownward when the coping is applied, the keel 61 of the lip will beforced against the flange 42 and the marginal portion 46 of the liner asthe outer wall 701 of the recess 64 moves inward and downward. Thiswedgi'n-g and compressing action serves to assure positive gripping andretention of the marginal portion of the liner 4 and also serves tosecure the coping element fixedly in place.

In erecting as wimrning pool embodying the construction shown in FIGS. 1to 4, the wall sections 8 are positioned with the bottom portions 12thereof resting upon a ledge of ground 74 or other support, footing orsurface adjacent the edge of the pool and are anchored in place by thepins or bolts 18. The side flanges 14 and 16 of the sections are securedtogether by the bolts 22 and the clips 28 are applied to the upper edges24 of the side flanges with the tabs 34 on the clips embracing saidedges. The arms 32 of the clips are then bolted in place on the oppositesides of the side flanges. The retaining strips 36 are applied to thesupporting surfaces 30 of the clips 28 with the folded portion 44 of theflange 42 of the retainer extending over and embracing the upper edge 26of the wall portion 19 of each section. The retaining strip is thensecured in place on the clip 28 by means of rivets or bolts 40.

In this way, the side walls of the pool are erected in a manner topresent a strong rigid assembly. The space at the outer side of theassembled wall sections and between the sections and the surroundingexcavation can then be filled with earth which is tamped in place or maybe filled with concrete if desired. The bottom portion 12 and the sideflanges 14 and 16 are thus embedded in the surrounding earth or materialso as to support and hold the side walls of the pool in fixed assembledrelation.

The liner 4 for the pool is then placed within the excavation formingthe bottom of the pool and the marginal portions of the liner areextended upward over the inner surfaces of the portions 10 of the wallsections 8. The edge 46 of the liner is pulled outwardly and downwardover the inner flanges 42 of the retaining strips 36 so as to lieadjacent the base 38 of the retainer. The cushioning strip 48 is thenapplied to the flange 42 over the folded marginal portion of the liner 4with the leg 50 of the strip located on the inner side of the flange 42and the leg 53 with its lip 66 projecting inward above the base 38 ofthe retainer 36.

Upon forcing the inner edge 68 of the coping element downward, the lowerface 62 of the element engages the lip 66 on the cushioning strip andforces the leg 53 downward to wipe the liner into place and force itagainst the flange 42 of the retaining strip 36. Moreover, the otherside 70 of the recess 48 is moved in an arc toward the inner face of theflange 42 so as to compress the cushioning strip 48 further and exert awedging action thereon.

The assembly thus provided not only serves to clamp the marginal edge ofthe liner for the pool in place but also serves to clamp and retain thecoping elements in place and hold them in accurately aligned andassembled relation.

The coping elements may be of any desired length but generally are equalin length to the width of the wall sections 8 of the pool. If desired,the joints between the ends of adjacent coping lements may be sealedwith grouting or other composition but this is not usually necessary.The upper and inner surfaces of the coping elements may have any desiredcontour or shape and they may be formed to provide a splash guard, draingutter, grab means or tile facing at the scum line as preferred in anyparticular installation.

In any case, the pressure of a person standing on the coping elementsabout the edge of the pool and the weight of a person in the poolclinging to the coping will serve at all times to press the copingelements into place and to assure firm retention of the lining about theedges of the pool. Moreover, if desired, the marginal edge of the liningmay be formed with a bead or folded portion 74 which will prevent itfrom slipping or stripping out from between the flange 42 and thecushioning strip 48.

While the retaining strips 36 are particularly constructed and designedfor use in combination with wall forming sections formed of sheet metalas shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the retaining strips may beused in combination with other forms and types of swimming pool wallconstructions. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the wall of the pool maypresent an upper edge portion 76 formed of nonmetallic material such aswood or concrete and the side walls may be formed of sections orotherwise if desired. The retaining strip 36 may then be fixed to theupper surface of the wall about the edge of a pool by means of screws 78or otherwise. The construction thus renders it possible to provide poolswith a masonry or tile coping while the wall sections of the pool or theupper edges thereof may be formed of wood, concrete or any othermaterials desired.

It will thus be apparent that the various elements of the combinationcan be fabricated readily and economically for shipment with a of bulkand weight whereas they may be assembled readily by unskilled labor toinstall a swimming pool of improved and attractive appearance. Moreover,pools of any desired shape, size and depth can beproduced'whileemploying a limited number of elements of simpleconstructions.

The sizeQshape and composition of the elements may be variedconsiderably as required for any particular installation and the formand arrangement thereof are capable of many modifications and changes.In view thereof, it should be understood that the particular embodimentsof the invention shown in the drawings and described above are intendedto be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means locatedadjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facingchannel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed offlexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over saidinner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overlying saidretaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping elementhaving a side portion engaging the outer flange and a second portionextending into the channel between the inner and outer flanges of theretaining means and cooperating with the inner flange to hold the edgeportion of the liner in place.

2. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means locatedadjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facingchannel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed offlexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over saidinner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overlying saidretaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping elementhaving a side portion pivotally engaging the outer flange of theretaining means and another portion positioned adjacent the inner flangeof the retaining means, the latter portion of the coping elementreceiving and embracing the inner flange of the retaining means to clampthe edge portion of the liner in place.

3. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means locatedadjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facingchannel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed offlexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over saidinner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overly-ing saidretaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping elementhaving a portion thereof wedged between said inner and outer flanges andcoopera-ting with said inner flange to hold the edge portion of theliner in place.

.4. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means locatedadjacent the upper edge thereof and presenting an upwardly facingchannel with inner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed offlexible sheet material arranged with its edge portion folded over saidinner flange of the retaining means, a coping element overlying saidretaining means and the edge portion of the liner, said coping elementhaving a portion thereof engaging and held in place by said outerflange-of the retaining means, the lower surface of the coping elementhaving a recess therein receiving the inner flange of the retainingmeans and the edge portion of the liner and pressing the edge portion ofthe liner against the inner flange to hold the edge portion of the linerin place.

5. A swimming pool embodying a wall having retaining means locatedadjacent the upper edge thereof, said retaining means presenting anupwardly facing channel with inner and outer flanges, a flexible linerfor the pool formed of sheet material arranged with the edge portionthereof folded over the inner flange of the retaining means, acushioning strip formed of compressible material extending over saidinner flange and the folded edge portion of the liner, a coping elementoverlying the retaining means and having an outer edge pivotallyengaging the outer flange of the retaining means and an inner edgeprojecting beyond the inner flange of the retaining means, the lowersurface of the coping element having a recess therein registering withthe inner flange of the retaining means upon downward pivotal movementof the outer edge of the coping element about the inner flange of theretaining means, said recess receiving and embracing the cushioningstrip, the inner flange, and the edge portion of the liner, said recesspresenting a surface which upon downward movement of the inner edge ofthe coping element will press against said cushioning strip andcooperate with the cushioning strip and inner flange to clamp the edgeportion of the liner in place.

6. A swimming pool having a side wall embodying a plurality of wallsections secured together and presenting upper edges lying in ahorizontal line, retaining means secured to the wall sections adjacentsaid horizontal line and presenting an upwardly facing channel withinner and outer flanges, a liner for the pool formed of flexible sheetmaterial and having an edge portion folded over the inner flange of theretaining means, and a coping element overlying the retaining means andsecured in place thereby, said coping element having a portion extendinginto the channel of the retaining means between the inner and outerflanges which presses the edge portion of the liner against the innerflange to secure the edge portion of the liner in place.

7. In a swimming pool, a side Wall embodying a plurality of wallsections, each of which is formed of sheet metal and provided with aninner wall portion and with side flanges extending rearwardly from saidinner wall portion, said sections being secured together with the sideflanges thereof in abutting relation, said sections having the upperedges of the wall portions arranged in a horizontal line and 'having theupper edges of the side flanges positioned substantially at right anglesto the wall po-rtions and adjacent but below the upper edges of the wallportions, and retaining means supported by the upper edges of the sideflanges and presenting an inner flange folded over the horizontal edgesof the wall portions of the sections.

8. An assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein clips extend across theupper edges and downward at the opposite sides of the abutting sideflanges of adjacent wall sections and said retaining means are securedto said clips.

-9. A wall section for a swimming pool comprising a sheet metal memberhaving an inner wall portion, a base portion and side flanges extendingrearwardly from said wall portion, the upper edge of said side flangesextending rearwardlyfrom. said: wall. portion at substantially rightangles thereto, and the upper edge of said wall portion projecting abovethe upper edges of said side flanges.

10. In a swimming pool, retaining means extending along the upper edgeof the side walls of the pool and presenting spaced substantiallyparallel upwardly extend:- ing inner and outer flanges, said outerflange having an inwardly turned lip, and a coping element formed ofmasonry and having its outer side. engaging said lip on the outer flangeof the retaining means, the inner edge of the coping element extending'beyond. the inner: flange on the retaining means, and the lower surfaceof the coping element having a recess therein registering with andreceiving the inner flange of the retaining means.

11. In combination with a swimming pool, a coping member locatedadjacent an edge ofthe pool, and retaining means fixedly mountedadjacent said edge of the pool and securing the coping member .in place,said retaining means presenting upwardly extending inner and outerflanges arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantiallyparallel to said edge of the swimmingtpool, the outer flange of saidretaining means being provided with a laterally turned upper edge, thecoping member being of a width exceeding the spacingof said flanges andhaving a recess extending parallel to one edge of the coping member intowhich said laterally turned upper edge of the outer flange of theretaining means extends, the lower surface of said coping member havinga downwardly facing recess therein extending parallel to the copingmember and spaced outwardly from said inner edge of the coping member,the inner flange of the retaining member being positioned in saiddownwardly facing recess in the lower surface of the coping member andcooperating with the laterally turned edge of the outer flange of theretaining means to secure said coping memher in place adjacent the edgeof the swimming pool.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein a compressibleelement is positioned between the coping member and at least one of saidflanges of the retaining means. and is held under compressiontherebetween so as to: aid in securing the coping member in engagementwith said retaining means.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said swimming poolis provided with a plastic liner having an edge thereof extending overthe inner flange of said retaining means, and said compressible elementbeing located in the downwardly facing recess in the lower surface ofthecoping member and serves to-clamp said edge of the pool liner inplace between the inner flange of the fetaining means and the copingmember.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein the swimming poolis provided with wall forming sections made of sheet metal and saidretaining means consisting of upwardly facing unitary metal channelmembers-fixedly secured to said wall forming sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,073,735 Duffy Mar. 16, 1937 2,101,612 Dufiy Dec. 7, 1937 2,864,098Lorimer Dec. 16, 1958 2,914,776 Hot-z Dec. 1, 1959 3,015,193 AmornsoJan. 2,. 1962 3,020,560 Bedick Feb. 13, 1-962

1. A SWIMMING POOL EMBODYING A WALL HAVING RETAINING MEANS LOCATEDADJACENT THE UPPER EDGE THEREOF AND PRESENTING AN UPWARDLY FACINGCHANNEL WITH INNER AND OUTER FLANGES, A LINER FOR THE POOL FORMED OFFLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIAL ARRANGED WITH ITS EDGE PORTION FOLDED OVER SAIDINNER FLANGE OF THE RETAINING MEANS, A COPING ELEMENT OVERLYING SAIDRETAINING MEANS AND THE EDGE PORTION OF THE LINER, SAID COPING ELEMENTHAVING A SIDE PORTION ENGAGING THE OUTER FLANGE AND A SECOND PORTIONEXTENDING INTO THE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER FLANGES OF THERETAINING MEANS AND COOPERATING WITH THE INNER FLANGE TO HOLD THE EDGEPORTION OF THE LINER IN PLACE.